With our programs and initiatives, we strive for best practices and sustainability of support and finances. This is not an easy task, especially during these times of Covid uncertainty.

C4C has certain long-standing partners for in-kind donations such as new apparel, clothing, shoes, and household items, including H&M in Sweden, Vanity Fair, Vans, Napapijri, Danone, ScJohnson, etc. These are all long-term partners and have delivered sustainable help and assistance through the years, some for more than 20 years.

Financing Dr. Clown has been more of a task, and finding patronage is an ever-present challenge. Partners like LEGO & Kaufland only offer help for a limited amount of time (1 or 2 years). Then the hunt begins again.

Essential parts of overall financing in the past have been our public collections, which were aimed mainly at the tourism sector. Partners like AirBnB and City Sightseeing Hop on – Hop off donated a percentage of their local income toward C4C. This crucial means of raising funds has collapsed, as there is no more international tourism to speak of.

I can answer this with one word: WONDERFUL! Our staff consists of highly motivated idealists who do their job not because of money but because of their sincere desire to make this world a better place to live in – especially for those less fortunate than ourselves or our children.

We are currently pioneering the natural synergies which exist between children and seniors in their respective roles as grandchildren or grandparents. Our Hand in Hand initiative is going into its third year.

Orphans not only grow up mainly without the influence of their parents, but they also miss out on the roles that grandparents provide in natural family life. Seniors in senior homes have also been largely abandoned by their natural families, who often live elsewhere, and the comfort and joy that comes from taking a role in the upbringing of their grandchildren.

It has been an incredible experience for all involved. Children learn sewing and knitting, and the youngsters are helping seniors to discover long-forgotten songs on YouTube. This is only one of a plethora of examples our team can report.

So, our Hand to Hand is undoubtedly a new perspective and a future direction we will explore further. I guess, ultimately, we will have to change, amend or rebrand the Chance 4 Children name, as our outreach now includes seniors as well – in our Springboard to Life and Dr. Clown programs.

C4C has grown over the years to become a far-reaching organisation that develops and implements new programs to help those less fortunate. It is an inspiring movement that presents opportunities and builds new relationships, a rewarding and meaningful way to help communities, and something everyone can get involved in.